Moedlinger Hut (1523m)

Wow! Long time no post. Well, I became kind of Facebook addicted :)

But what is really alarming: I didn't hike for a LONG long time! Here's my last hiking post: Grosser Boesenstein (2008-08)

And yes, it did take effect - some trousers won't fit anymore, ahum.

But today the weather was simply too fine to be true, so I took Sindy and we went for a walk, up to the Moedlinger Hut (1523m).



As my hiking boots "met their maker" (see picture below) I purchased a new pair.



I thought a nice, not too challenging hike would be best to test them (as well as my rotten condition). Unfortunately they do not fit the same perfect way my old pair did :(

I took my time, and many pictures ...



On the way up ... looking at the Admonter Reichenstein.



These flowers are very prominent in some places along the way - turning the landscape into beautiful shades of blue.



Woah. A Vipera berus ... in black. First time I've ever seen this species! It lay on the road, beside Sindy. Thought it was a young Aesculapian Snake first (they are way more common), but the sturdy build and the pitch-black colour made me wary.



And yes, the slit pupil was there - I checked that looking at the picture, didn't want to provoke the snake *g*



A way less dangerous animal ... nice movement ;)



Forest soil with lots of clover :)



Making hay - we call that "Schwedenreiter" or "Heureiter" ... Swedish rider or hay rider.



Up at the Moedlinger Hut - taking a rest and having a delicious meal. I think Sindy enjoyed our spontaneous getaway just as much as I did.



Beautiful view ... Admonter Kalbling, Sparafeld and Admonter Reichenstein. Enjoyed all three vertexes when I was in a much (!) better shape.

On the way down I took my new shoes off and walked bare-footed. Doesn't hurt if you're used to it ;)

Umbria

That's us, enjoying Italy *g*

Please visit collesanpaolo.it - it's a most recommendable place to holiday!













Panicale (beautiful medieval village) and Perugia (capital city of Umbria)









Castiglione del Lago (Lago Trasimeno) and our residence Molinella (Colle San Paolo)









The most enjoyable place ... our pool :-)













On the way with Luigi, exploring Umbria on small (dirt) roads ...

Taking Pictures

Had some fun taking pictures, my daughter is definitely my favourite photographer :-)

As Time Goes By

Went through quite a lot of different hairstyles within the last years.
Ginger with 38 ;-)

Winter Triathlon World Championships

Last weekend I teamed up with some other photographers (being the rookie) and took some pictures of the ITU Winter Triathlon World Championships in Gaishorn, Styria.

As you can see in the picture (thanks to Sabine Forstner, she said I looked like a Ninja *g*) it was VERY cold.

It took me some time to become acquainted with my brand new Nikon D60 and the Sigma lens (70-300mm) - but some of the pics are quite good.

Although it was really icy it was fun, too. Winter Triathlon comprises running, mountain biking and cross-country skiing. Personally I would never have guessed how exciting cross-country skiing can be :-)

If you want to have a look at the pictures, please use the quicklinks below. The pic galleries show a assortment of the whole photographer team.

Race Juniors m/w | pic no. 7 shows how much it snowed that day

Race U23 / Elite Women | pic no. 309 is one of my favs

Race U23 / Elite Men | pic no. 33 is one of my favs

Race Age Group | pic no. 35 is one of my favs

2009

So ... we happily arrived in 2009. Got a new digital camera - a Nikon D60. Had to try it on New Year's Day. That's my favourite river, the Enns.














Although there was a lot of kreaWERFT work waiting, I chose to take some days off and worked on my kitchen. Painted my tiles :-)














Phew, there'd be still a lot of work to do in my flat ...

Grosser Boesenstein 2.448m

Two weeks ago ... a most beautiful day ... used the opportunity to hike ... just have a look at these pictures (click to enlarge)!


Started from the Edelraute Hut (1.706m).

Such incredible shades of blue & green!




The Scheiblsee








Niedere Tauern
(Lower Tauern, Styria, Austria)

























Nice clouds




















The last part ... climbing :-)











And that's what my shoes looked like afterwards.







A most dignified and thorough termination after > 10 years, multitudinous kms and an impressing difference in altitude. That's Meindl quality! The slogan "Shoes for Actives" is well chosen (although it sounds a little bit Denglisch).


Having fun on the highest apex of the Rottenmanner Tauern.










Luigi did his best on the bumpy way up to the Edelraute Hut :-)